Synonyms of temperamental

temperamental

adjective

ˌtem-p(ə-)rə-ˈmen-tᵊl 

1

as in moody

frequently influenced by moods and especially bad moods

one of those temperamental actresses who can make life difficult for everyone around her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• moody
• volatile
• impulsive
• unstable
• changeful
• irritable
• mercurial
• uncertain
• variable
• unsettled
• capricious
• fickle
• whimsical
• mutable
• freakish
• changeable
• inconstant
• fluctuating
• sulky
• irascible
• petulant
• peevish
• pouty
• testy
• snappish
• unsteady
• crotchety
• fluid
• grouchy
• choleric
• waspish
• grumpy
• short-tempered
• crabby
• cross
• quick-tempered
• cranky
• snippy
• snippety

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• even
• inflexible
• immutable
• invariable
• constant
• equable
• stable
• unchangeable
• steady
• unalterable
• unchanging
• settled
• changeless

2

as in volatile

likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly

stock prices have been pretty temperamental lately, often fluctuating wildly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• volatile
• unpredictable
• unstable
• inconsistent
• mercurial
• changeful
• variable
• capricious
• fickle
• uncertain
• unsettled
• changeable
• mutable
• inconstant
• fluctuating
• erratic
• skittish
• unreliable
• unsteady
• fluid
• up in the air
• random
• flickery
• haphazard
• scattered
• shaky
• ambivalent
• arbitrary
• stray
• aimless
• undependable
• hit-or-miss
• untrustworthy
• desultory
• slapdash
• dicey
• protean
• versatile
• adaptable
• wavering
• irregular
• vacillating
• mobile
• shilly-shallying
• hesitating
• shilly-shally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• certain
• constant
• stable
• predictable
• steady
• stationary
• immutable
• invariable
• unchanging
• unchangeable
• settled
• uniform
• persistent
• even
• permanent
• unvarying
• durable
• reliable
• lasting
• equable
• dependable
• changeless
• abiding
• true
• trustworthy
• sure
• trusty
• tried
• tried-and-true

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of temperamental

As the lead singer of Connect 3, Shane can be temperamental and arrogant. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

Ormund, the snooty, temperamental head of House Hightower, is shown charred beyond recognition in the episode's final moments. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

The temperamental Moon in your 11th House of Friends squares passionate Mars in your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources, stirring tension around trust, contribution, and control. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

The guest rooms felt dated, the vintage plumbing was temperamental, and the noisy window air-conditioning units distracted from the historic charm. — Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 11 July 2026